Management of Refractory Cancer Pain with Intrathecal Drug Delivery and Spinal Cord Stimulation

Evgeny Bulat, Jason E. Crowther, Vikram Chakravarthy, Ilya Laufer, Ori Barzilai, Amitabh Gulati*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Intrathecal pumps (ITPs) are indicated for refractory cancer pain and decrease systemic opioid requirements. While not yet indicated for cancer pain, spinal cord stimulators (SCSs) are used off-label for cancer pain, with increasing evidence of their efficacy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who underwent both ITP and at least SCS trial for cancer pain. Primary outcomes were pain numeric rating scale (NRS) and daily morphine equivalents (MEQs). Results: Seventeen patients were identified. Both ITP and SCS were associated with significant decreases in pain ratings at the 3-month follow-up, but this decrease became nonsignificant subsequently. ITP, but not SCS, was associated with a significant decrease in MEQ. Conclusions: ITP and SCS may both provide efficacy for cancer pain, but the opioid-sparing effects of SCS may be limited. ITP and SCS may potentially be complementary in their ability to provide relief from cancer-related pain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)301-305
Number of pages5
JournalPalliative Medicine Reports
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Aug 2024
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of HealthP30 CA008748
National Institutes of Health

    Keywords

    • cancer pain
    • intrathecal pump
    • neuromodulation
    • opioids
    • spinal cord stimulator

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Management of Refractory Cancer Pain with Intrathecal Drug Delivery and Spinal Cord Stimulation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this